Ore-riffle



(No Model.) 1

G. y11. CHICK. ORE RIFFLE.

No. 448,710. 1 Patented Mer. 24, 1891.

mz Noms versus co., pierro-mmc.A wAsHmmoN, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE IIORATIO CHICK, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

ORE-RIFFLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 448,710, dated March 24, 1891.

Application led February S, 1890. Serial No. 339,694. (No model.)

To all 10h/omit may concern.-

Be itknown that I, GEORGE IIORATIO CHICK, of Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore-Riftles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in ore-riffles; and it consists in the novel construction hereinafter fully set forth and described.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a riftle which will thoroughly cleanse and collect all the valuable ores, allowing the dirtand sand to pass off, and, second, to provide an ore-rifiie easy to transport and construct, and simple in arrangement, which I do by using the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of my device, showing two ritlles in the position they occupy when constructed ready for use. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section taken on line x Qc of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on line y g/ of Fig. 1. Fig. ais a detail inv perspective of the pipes which supply water for washing the ores; and Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of one of the plates, which is provided with metallic coverings, as shown.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A represents my invention having a feed-box l5, provided with suitable plugs b and b', through which the ore, sand, dirt, rbc., pass from said box onto the riitle.

C are the sides of the riffie properly secured to the bottom or base C by suitable spikes or bolts. c are cleats or strips which pass the entire length of the riftle and are secured to the side C@ Said strips are for the 'purpose of holding the plates in position.

D are metallic coverings secured on plates d, having their edges to project over the edge of the plate about a quarter of an inch, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Said plates D are plated with Quicksilver or any other material which will attract the ores as they pass over said plates.

E are water-pipes placed at equal intervals along the entire distance of the rittl e,

the upper sides having small perforations through which a constant stream of water. is ejected, which agitatcs the ores and sand as they fall between the plates D and washes the ore thoroughly. The edges of plates d are beveled in such a manner as to form a pocket in which the ores are collected, the water for said pipes E being supplied bythe supply-pipe F, which conducts it through the pipes E', the valve f regulating the flow of water or serving to cut off the water entirely when so desired. The outer ends of the water-pipes E are stopped by caps c', as shown in the drawings. Said pipes are coupled to the main supply-pipe E by the T-shaped sleeves or couplings c.

G shows the chambers or spaces between the plates D, in which the ore falls as it passes down the incline on the riiile, and as it falls into said spaces or chambers the water from the pipes F., passing out-through perforations c, agitates the gravel and ores, causing them to be thorougly worked up, and as the valuable metals are heavier than the loose dirt, said metals settle in the bottom of the chambers, and the dirt is washed on over to the next chamber, where it is again agitated, and so on until the bottom of `the rifde is reached. The cleat c serves to retain any particles of metal that may pass over the last plate. Said plates, being composed of copper or plated with Quicksilver, will attract the lighter ores as they pass over and prevent them from being washed away with the dirt. When the chambers G have accumulated a sufficient quantity, the passage of the ores may be stopped in the trough B by putting the plug b in position, as shown in Fig. l, and removing the plug b', thereby keeping one of the riffies always going. The plates D in the lirst riftle may then be taken up and all the ore removed therefrom, the entire device cleansed, and the plates replaced, when it is again ready for use.

The ores are to be thoroughly mixed with water before they are deposited in the trough or box I3. Said ores may bebrought into said box through a pipe, sluice, or any other suitable device. The entire device is designed to be supported on suitable trusses or timbers a, and constructed on an incline, as

IOO

shown in Fig'. L). must be determined by those operating; the device.

The pipes l have their perlorations (f in 1 the upper side, so that the water is ejeetedso thatitmeets the ore and dirt as they passdown the rit'tle, thereby mixing' them thoroughly and washiny the ores, allowingr thenl to settle j in the bottom and causing' the loose dirt to l pass ott from the ril'tle, where it is carried away by a sluice, trough, or other device.

The device may be constructed any length, i and any number of plates l) can be used, the 3 number shown in the drawings beine; eight, l

which is the preferable number for using` in in a device for washing' such ores as gold7 silver, &c. l

Having thus fully described myinvention, what I claim as new7 and desire to secure by v Letters Patent7 is t l. An ore-rit'lie composed of the main box or rit'tle C, provided at its upper end with a i bo\ l, through which the ores artl fed into l 'lhe increase of the incline l said ri'lle, the said rit'lle being built on an incline, having' the metallic plates l) secured to the plates o and projecting` over each edge of the plates said plates d having their edges beveled, as shown, thereby forming' chambers or spaces between the plates d, in which the ores are collected as they pass down the rillle, substantially as described.

2. An ore-rit'tte having the plates I) secu red on the beveled plates (l and held in position by cleat e, in combination with the pipes E, arranged in the spaces between the plates l), having' their upper edges perforated for throwing a. constant stream of water against t the descending ores, therebycleansing.;` them, g substantially as specited.

In testimony whereofl atiix mysignature in presence ot' two witnesses.

GEORGE llORA'iI() tllltlK.

Witnesses:

IIA'r'rlE Puten, A. A. Ihoeox. 

